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Decoding Green Labels 101

With companies using various ‘green’ claims and labels now
more than ever, it can be difficult to distinguish between what looks and
sounds ethical and sustainable, and what actually is.

From “natural” tea, to “green” cleaning supplies to
“eco-friendly” clothing, there are endless products being marketed with claims
that attempt to convince consumers that they are making the right decision when
shopping.

Product certifications alleviate this challenge for
consumers.

Any certified product has undergone a rigorous third party
evaluation, examining everything from environmental impact, ingredient obtaining,
worker conditions and compensation just to name few.

Choosing products with the following labels will help you
shop smarter and feel more confident about your buying power:

Fairtrade

While many may think it’s the most obvious, Fairtrade is often a confusing term.

The Fairtrade mark means the ingredients in a product have
been produced by small-scale farmer organizations or plantations that meet
social, economic and environmental standards.

Equifruit for
example, is the Canadian market leader of Fairtrade-certified bananas, with a
large number of retail partners in Quebec and Ontario.

B-Certified

Launched in 2006, B
Certified companies meet the highest standards of verified social and
environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability.

Dedicated to offering bee-derived superfoods, Beekeeper’s Naturals is
a great example of a B Certified company that has undergone strict analysis and
understands their primary duty to the environment.

It is one of 2,048 B Corporations in 50 countries around the
world.

Organic

Eating organic is one of the most common ways to lead a
healthier, more sustainable life.

Canada’s organic standards are among the most recognized in
the world and Harmony
Organic is a Canadian company that wears this label with pride.

With 14 family farm producers, Harmony Organic is passionate
about the quality of their dairy, their cows and the earth.

Oceanwise

Sustainable food choices continue to be important,
changing the way people think about what’s on their plates.

With overfishing being the biggest threat our oceans face
today, consumers who choose to eat seafood can make a difference by choosing
fish that is responsibly sourced or by visiting restaurants, like Hawthorne Food &
Drink that use the Oceanwise symbol
— an assurance against overfishing, harm to other aquatic creatures and
protection of the marine ecosystem.

Leaping Bunny

TheLeaping Bunny logo is one to look out for when
purchasing personal-care products and cosmetics.

Companies like Alba Botanica, Amika, BH Cosmetics and Skin
Essence Organics are certified through the Coalition for Consumer
Information on Cosmetics, and make a voluntary pledge to eliminate animal
testing from all stages of product development.